Dr Pepper Snapple Group has awarded Garland ISD a Let’s Play equipment donation valued at $11,000 as part of its partnership with Good Sports. The grant provides resources for physical education, including pop-up goals, soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, and scrimmage vests. Over the last 10 years, it is estimated that around 44 percent of U.S. schools have made cuts to PE programs. This is in part due to a lack of funding and a lack of quality equipment. The cuts have made getting kids involved in healthy physical activity extremely difficult.
“We are pleased to support Garland ISD with this grant from Let’s Play, part of our overall commitment to bringing play to life and ensuring that kids are able to make play a daily priority,” said Vicki Draughn, vice president, Corporate Affairs, Dr Pepper Snapple. “We hope that it will make a big difference to kids in the community and give them the equipment and gear they need to get in the game and get active.”
Let’s Play is a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple to get kids and families active nationwide. Let’s Play provides the tools, places and inspiration to make play a daily priority. Through DPS’s partnership with Good Sports, an organization which provides donations of athletic gear, footwear and sports equipment to deserving organizations or communities, Let’s Play has committed $3 million through 2016 to help kids become active through organized sports and fitness programs.
“Our partnership with Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Let’s Play will enable Good Sports to provide even more equipment to deserving youth across the country,” said Melissa Harper, CEO of Good Sports. “Together, we are thrilled to support Garland ISD by providing the tools and resources they need to keep children active, healthy and happy.”
The PE kits included in the grant will help GISD provide students with a greater diversity of physical activities. GISD serves a large student population of around 57,000 students, and the equipment included in the PE kits will help a larger number of students to participate in physical activity.
Studies show that in addition to the obvious benefits of regular activity, kids who participate in sports enjoy better nutritional awareness and improved self-esteem. However, kids also need the proper equipment to enjoy these benefits. Through the Let’s Play initiative, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Good Sports will equip 3 million kids around the nation with the tools to play.
Visit Let’s Play at www.LetsPlay.com to learn how to apply for the grants.
About Let’s Play
Let’s Play is an initiative launched in 2011 by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to provide the tools, places and inspiration to make play a daily priority. By 2017, DPS will provide nearly 10 million children across North America with new opportunities to play and be active through Let’s Play. LetsPlay.com or Facebook.com/LetsPlay.
About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have six of the top 10 non-cola drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their categories. In addition to Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott’s, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose’s, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. www.DrPepperSnapple.com.
About Good Sports
Good Sports provides athletic equipment, footwear and apparel to disadvantaged young people nationwide. By partnering with sporting goods manufacturers, Good Sports gets crucial equipment to kids who need it most. Since 2003, Good Sports has provided more than $12 million worth of equipment to more than 1,800 youth programs. Good Sports has also been awarded a coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest charity evaluator, for sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability; is a Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance accredited charity; and is listed on Social Impact Exchange’s S&I 100, an index of top American nonprofits creating meaningful social impact. www.goodsports.org.